The guilt trip will come soon, either about 6 o'clock tonight or in a couple of years, depending on how Judge Marsha Pechman rules in the SuperSonics trial.
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When the Sonics come to Oklahoma City, most everyone west of Spokane and lots of folks east of there will look at OKC and quote Gomer Pyle.
Shame, shame, shame!
Shame on Oklahoma City for swiping the Sonics from the loving arms of Seattle. Shame on Oklahoma City for not waiting on an expansion team.
Don't buy it. Don't listen to it. Don't let anyone spoil your celebration. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty.
Because here's what major-league ballteams do.
They move. Always have, always will.
Of the 122 major-league franchises in the four historic team sports, 40 have relocated, a total of 52 times. And if you discount the 24 expansion teams that have sprouted since 1992, it's 38 relocations in 98 franchises.
There is no divine right to keeping a franchise. A team is not intellectual property, no matter how attached a populace grows. Sports are big business. They've always been big business, in this century and the previous century and even the century before that.
The original Baltimore Orioles moved to New York in 1903 and eventually became the Yankees. The original Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis in 1902 and became the Browns, then half a century later filled the void in Baltimore.
Eight franchises moved in the '50s, 11 in the '60s, nine in the '70s, seven in the '80s and eight in the '90s. Every city left behind put up a fuss, and railed against the scoundrel owner who engineered the move, and claimed the world is unjust.
But franchises aren't forever. Los Angeles has lost three pro football teams in the last 50 years. The Chargers moved to San Diego. The Raiders back to Oakland. The Rams to St. Louis.
If the NFL can leave Greater Los Angeles, where's the calamity in the NBA leaving Seattle?
The Seattle crowd likes to warn Oklahoma City that if Clay Bennett can put the screws to Seattle, he will do the same thing to his hometown.
Maybe. Maybe not. Frankly, I'm not all that interested in a history lesson from a city that built a new palace for the Seahawks and a new palace for the Mariners and then wants to start lecturing other cities, warning them about the dangers of giving into disgruntled franchise owners.
I understand the anguish over losing a franchise. Most of America does. Only Indiana cheered when the Colts left Baltimore. Only Tennessee celebrated when the Oilers left Houston. George Shinn made few friends beyond Bourbon Street when he took his Hornets out of Charlotte.
But sports fans have short memories. For all the despair over the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn, baseball took to LA and LA took to baseball immediately, and the Los Angeles Dodgers quickly became a brand to rival all but the Yankees.
It seemed nutty for the NHL to leave Minneapolis in 1993 for the football-mad Sun Belt, but who today can imagine hockey without a team in Dallas? Who declares the Ravens, a decade after fleeing Cleveland, are invalid in Baltimore?
Nationally, no one seems to be paying much attention anyway. Their take is elementary: Oh, the Sonics are leaving for Oklahoma City? That must mean Bennett is a sorry-dog owner.
But did you catch ESPN's Stuart Scott during the NBA Draft coverage? He said the "vote” to determine the Sonics' status could come later that night. There is no vote, and it wasn't true anyway. Scott even asked Jeff Van Gundy if the Sonics could make the playoffs next season, which means one of ESPN's primary NBA hosts doesn't have a clue about anything regarding Seattle basketball.
When the Sonics come to Oklahoma City, outrage and lament will reign for about 15 minutes. Then everyone will move on.
The rest is up to us. Fill the Ford Center and support the NBA and critics will scram in search of another franchise threatening to move. And there will be one to fit that description, because that's what franchises do.
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Someone needs to tell the pinhead that wrote this article that Seattle also built a palace for the Sonics, and a mere eight years later they were whining about another new stadium.
This article is nothing but a justification for devious behaviour by owners taking Oklahoma for a ride, and yet Oklahoma is so excited for this team that they're letting themselves be a screwed over as Seattle was. If not more so. It's like a kid getting a new car his paying for, too inexperienced to realize the cost.
"I think the rest of the country is wise enough to know this is not OKC's doing, but the choices of one scumbag."...Actually two scumbags...Nickels and Chopp
Congradulations to the OKC fans...I mean that. NBA basketball is a great experience and I wish you many years of happiness with the team.
I want to make a quick point that so much has been made about OKC vs. Seattle. Let me express as a Sonics fan and a Washington resident that I have nothing against the city or the fans in OKC. Hell, I don't even have anything against Mr. Bennet and his ownership group. I'll admit that I'm upset that the Sonics are leaving and that it seems that they never truly wanted the team to stay in Seattle, but I don't hold it against them. I can't say that I would have done any different if I were in their shoes.
I will say that I'm a bit concerned with all of the political wrangling that went on with this who deal. The NBA, Mr. Bennet and particularly the City of Seattle have proven that the NBA and its owners care very little about the actual fans and only about money. I know its a business...I get that, but knowing that doesn't make me any less upset when my team leaves town because they didn't get a shiny new stadium.
As a fan I sad the team is gone, but their is nothing I can do about it but accept it and move on. I did all I could as a fan to keep the team here, I went to games, I bought hats and jerseys, I wrote city and state officals to plead the case of the fans, but I'm just a fan. All I can do is mourn the loss of my beloved Sonics and hope that the OKC fans never have to feel this way. Like Mr. Tramel said, any sports team can pick up and move at any time, so all I can do is say, treat the team right and don't give them any reason to leave.
Yes, sports teams move when the fans stop supporting them and the owners can make more money in another city. The difference here is 1) the fans were still supporting the team, 2) money wasn't the motivating factor, and 3) the sleazy way Bennett went about stealing the team.
Do you think Bennett looked at any other cities, got bids and chose the location that made the most economic sense? Of course not. It wasn't about business, it was only about his ego.
Bennett's goal from the beginning was to get the team to OKC, regardless of how much money it cost. In fact, he intentionally lost money to make his case. And Darth Stern was in on the scam the whole time.
you are a pathetic journalist and member of society, because others have commited wrong acts in the past that means its OK (notice the lame pun) for you to also do wrong? Enjoy your stolen team, can't wait to see the ownership go bankrupt in 5 years after your sorry excuse for a city and state stops to support it.
Here it comes, although the Mayor’s office said the seating in the Ford was “adequate” (in response as to why we aren’t adding any seats to the Ford and actually decreasing seating by 500 after the “improvements”...dropping us from #14 to #24). The Mayor said the following:
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http://www.newsok.com/article/3265341
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Now that Seattle lawsuit has been settled, the NBA is on its way here to stay (July 3, 2008)
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“I think somebody is going to have to pinch me to think this day is really here,” Cornett said. “If I had a concern — and my tongue is not in my cheek — I’m concerned WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SEATS in that arena. I think the season ticket sales are going to blow the roof off the building.”
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They are already gearing up for the demands for a new arena (due to inadequate seating) and we haven’t even started making the improvements or collected one penny of the $100 million yet. Maybe they can alter the plans and increase seating somehow. Otherwise, we are flushing $100 million down the improved Ford toilets.
No, the fans should not feel guilty for getting a team. They just live in the city and are reacting naturally. Clay Bennett should feel overwhelming shame. Lying to anyone that would listen, while e-mails contradict every word he says. I think the rest of the country is wise enough to know this is not OKC's doing, but the choices of one scumbag.
Honestly you shouldn't feel guilt for getting a team. However the "journalist" who wrote this article should be feeling guilt for shoddy research. Key Arena still is being paid for, is only 10 years old, and was the FIRST arena in Seattle supported by tax payer money. Bennet LIED about trying to keep the team there going so far as the water down the product (have fun that first year by the way) and not allowing the players to do local media. They moved their radio broadcast from an all sports station with a high powered signal to a conservative talk radio station with no sports with a weaker signal. So no, I wish the fans nothing but joy with ther new team. They should feel no guilt. But the "journalist" who writes for this paper, owned by people who are related to Clay (in-laws if I remember correctly), should feel shame. And so should Clay Bennett.
The Seattle Sonics arena was completely gutted and rebuilt from scratch to the team’s specifications just ten years ago. The City of Seattle has not even completed paying for what was essentially a brand new building just ten years ago. The idea that the City of Seattle has not supported the Sonics is hogwash and you frankly sir you do not know what you are talking about. This is a failure of the NBA and the Sonics organization and the City of Seattle and its citizens are getting screwed as a result.
Kevin , San Jose Costa Rica - Jul 2, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Jill now you say you don't criticize us fans, your a liar in past posts your were heartless and rude with us Seattle fans. You made statements how we didn't support the team and we didn't deserve a team. Now you try to play all high and mighty. Your as bad as Bennett and a liar just like him.
I agree david, I think that the lease should be changed a bit to make it more profitable for the owners. I don't think that it's Bennetts fault that the lease sucks, I just think that he should of thought of that before he bought the team. I also think that 2 years is a long time, and I would be curious on the BOG's vote if a new arena deal is put in place during the next 2 years, and how they might reconsider the move, and also expansion. I'm hoping that this is what happens, as I think we got a good sports rivalry brewing here, how cool would a OKC/Seattle NBA finals be, everyone would watch that.
Jill - Thanks for the reminder. I agree - even though it is shorter - it's still bitter to lose something. We wish you all well and I apologize for anyone directing negative comments your way. I'm a Midwestern by birth and I would never speak negatively about a place I haven't visited.
I might have to argue that Redmond might sue MS if there was a lease, with no buyout, and they tried to move. Gates would probably just reach in his pocket and throw out a billion dollars though to leave...lol...
Jesss, if I were the judge, I would do this... So Clay isn't forced to sell the team, the city has to help Clay in the last two years, since he will be losing money, but also enforcing the lease. This way Clay enforces the lease, but they will back off his jock and let him move in 2010 like he wants to. However, even Nickels said it, "two years can open doors." Nickels is hoping something happens in the two years that makes Clay stay, even though Clay won't want to. My personal opinion is that the only reason the city wants the lease enforced is to try and get something done that will make Clay sell, or want to stay, or try and make him stay. So if I were the judge, I would be telling the city, that if he has to enforce the lease, the city has to help him, but that is just me.
I hear ya bob, MS put seattle on the map. I grew up in Redmond, went to Redmond High school, and boy did MS sure change our little town around. When I was a kid we used to have Deer in our yard every morning, that was about 1 mile from where microsoft sits now. I agree though, if the Sonics leave, Seattle will be fine, if MS left, that might be the end of us.....
Can't you get online on an airplane?? I don't fly alot as I'm not a big fan, but you see it all the time in the movies. I saw an episode of the myth busters on discovery channel about just what your talking about, and they couldn't prove that it will bring a plane down, maybe you'll be safe.
Jesse, I was only joking! Clearly MS was a different company back then. But if they decided to move today, say to Chicago, or LA, or Miami, there would be no lawsuit by the city to force them to stay, even if there were a lease agreement to deal with. And if you don't think MS adds FAR more intangible value to the city's reputation than a sports franchise, you are sadly mistaken. (Even though MS isn't actually located in Seattle..most of the world has never heard of Redmond.)
James, we understand you completely, Seattle was in the same situation for the longest time up here in the far corner of the country, nobody paid any attention to us either, all we had was Boeing. I truly hope that OKC can pull the same thing off, and it's looks like you will, as I believe that the people of Oklahoma are outstanding people of great character. Lets just hope this all works out for both cities.
I will be flying when they post the ruling do any of you guys know if I sneak my cell phone on to check if that truly messes with plane or just all BS?
Microsoft was hardly the company it is today when he left New Mexico, I doubt that anyone there even noticed, or cared, and is hardly comparable to the Sonics leaving Seattle. Now if MS would of left after they achieved what they have, then there would of been a big stink.
Several of you have been complaining about the team "city shopping" or "arena shopping", looking for the best business deal. Several years ago, a major airlines was looking to relocate it's main maintenance facility. OKC was one of the bidders on this new facility. The city of OKC passed several incentives, tax breaks, low rent, etc., to get them to come here. I believe even the state of Oklahoma passed some legislation that would be an incentive. However, in the end, that airline relocated to Indianapolis because it offered them the best deal. Since then, OKC has worked it's butt to become a world class competitor for these kind of jobs. We citizens voted on and passed the Quality Jobs Act, which offers tremendous tax and finaincial incentives to create jobs here in Oklahoma. We now have a state of the arts Science and Mathematics prep school, run by the state. We have some of the world's best pharmasutical research companies located here. We are major league and are willing to support an NBA franchise. I am sorry that Seattle has lost out on this. However, any city that does not STAY competetive will lose out on these opportunities and jobs. If there is any failure, it is in the complancency of the local citizens and government. We here in Oklahoma have always been behind the eight ball, always fighting to better ourselves, never seeming to measure up. Well, now we do. If Seattle wants to compete, then it is time to "keep up with the Jones's" or in our case, Oklahomans.
I don't remember Bill Gates apologizing for moving his company from Albuquerque to Seattle! Is he a scumbag, too? Oh, wait, everyone already know BG is a scumbag...anyone using his Windows operating system, anyway!
"Why don't you understand that there are many TRUE fans in Seattle and they are very sad they are losing a team?? You are gaining a team - you should only be happy. I would think you could understand the sadness of Seattle. And claiming that you know the history of the team before Clay bought the team is just not believable - you didn't live here, so I am guessing that you have no idea what it's like to sit in KeyArena with 17,000 fans yelling during a double-overtime game in April when you have the worst record in the league. It's great." A lot of us have more compassion than you think. It just gets beaten down by people coming to an Oklahoma site throwing insults at us. Also, remember that three years ago we hosted the 18-64 Hornets, and sold 10,000 season tickets in a week. We sold 12,000 season tickets the next year. The city fell in love with the Hornets, and the Hornets owner led us to believe he returned the emotion. We saw a team that had Oklahoma City on it's jerseys win some seemingly impossible games over the likes of the Lakers and the Spurs. We saw Chris Paul turn a 7 point deficit ito a tie in a matter of seconds and win the game in overtime. We saw David West hit a winning buzzer beater with 0.2 seconds left. We sold out the house the last night they played here, and no one had the heart or the will the leave the building until long after the game was over, including Byron Scott and Aubrey McClendon. So we know a little bit about sadness and loss, although our history was much shorter. I criticize the politicians in Seattle, not the fans.
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Jul 2, 2008 at 1:48 pm
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This article is nothing but a justification for devious behaviour by owners taking Oklahoma for a ride, and yet Oklahoma is so excited for this team that they're letting themselves be a screwed over as Seattle was. If not more so. It's like a kid getting a new car his paying for, too inexperienced to realize the cost.
I want to make a quick point that so much has been made about OKC vs. Seattle. Let me express as a Sonics fan and a Washington resident that I have nothing against the city or the fans in OKC. Hell, I don't even have anything against Mr. Bennet and his ownership group. I'll admit that I'm upset that the Sonics are leaving and that it seems that they never truly wanted the team to stay in Seattle, but I don't hold it against them. I can't say that I would have done any different if I were in their shoes.
I will say that I'm a bit concerned with all of the political wrangling that went on with this who deal. The NBA, Mr. Bennet and particularly the City of Seattle have proven that the NBA and its owners care very little about the actual fans and only about money. I know its a business...I get that, but knowing that doesn't make me any less upset when my team leaves town because they didn't get a shiny new stadium.
As a fan I sad the team is gone, but their is nothing I can do about it but accept it and move on. I did all I could as a fan to keep the team here, I went to games, I bought hats and jerseys, I wrote city and state officals to plead the case of the fans, but I'm just a fan. All I can do is mourn the loss of my beloved Sonics and hope that the OKC fans never have to feel this way. Like Mr. Tramel said, any sports team can pick up and move at any time, so all I can do is say, treat the team right and don't give them any reason to leave.
Good luck,
A sad fan.
Do you think Bennett looked at any other cities, got bids and chose the location that made the most economic sense? Of course not. It wasn't about business, it was only about his ego.
Bennett's goal from the beginning was to get the team to OKC, regardless of how much money it cost. In fact, he intentionally lost money to make his case. And Darth Stern was in on the scam the whole time.
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http://www.newsok.com/article/3265341
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Now that Seattle lawsuit has been settled, the NBA is on its way here to stay (July 3, 2008)
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“I think somebody is going to have to pinch me to think this day is really here,” Cornett said. “If I had a concern — and my tongue is not in my cheek — I’m concerned WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SEATS in that arena. I think the season ticket sales are going to blow the roof off the building.”
_________________________________________________________________
They are already gearing up for the demands for a new arena (due to inadequate seating) and we haven’t even started making the improvements or collected one penny of the $100 million yet. Maybe they can alter the plans and increase seating somehow. Otherwise, we are flushing $100 million down the improved Ford toilets.